Breast Reduction

Breast Reduction

The Breast Reduction Surgery procedure that removes excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from breasts, reshaping and resizing them to smaller, higher and lighter breasts more proportionate with the rest of the body.There is a high satisfaction rate with this procedure as Breast Reduction surgery addresses all these issues, may improve posture and can restore self-esteem.

Dr Safvat generally performs Short Scar Technique with breast reduction surgery procedures for a better outcome and minimal scarring. Excessively large breasts may cause discomfort, resulting in shoulder and neck pain, skin irritation under the breast fold as well as causing the person self-conscious of the size or the shape of their breasts, as larger breasts are more likely to be pendulous or sagging. Breast reduction surgery may help relieve this discomfort.

Breast Reduction Surgery Technique

In breast reduction surgery, not only the size of the breast is reduced, but at the same time the size of the areola can be reduced and the shape of the breast enhanced (breast lift). The goal is to make the breast and areola more proportionate and positioned with the rest of the body, safely.

Dr Safvat uses the more modern method of Medial Pedicle Technique (at times called the short scar Technique) for his breast reduction surgery patients. The scar is usually placed around the areola and vertically under it. In women with very large breasts it may be necessary to have an inverted T scar technique to give them the best results. The breast reduction procedure is done under a general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital. It usually takes about 3-4 hours, and the patient is required to stay in hospital from 1-3 days.

Recovery

Upon discharge the breast reduction patient is required to wear a medical garment (bras) for six weeks and need to have 1-2 weeks off work to rest at home. Walking is actively encouraged postoperatively but exertion and heavy lifting are not allowed for 3-4 weeks.

Initially after the breast reduction surgery, the breasts will be swollen and bruised and the skin incision will be raised, red and lumpy. This will settle over the next few months and Dr Safvat will guide you through the scar management after your operation. In general it will take some months before the breasts settle into their final shape. The appearance of incision line will fade over time to fine white lines and are less noticeable.

Cost

Breast reduction surgery has an Item number (45520) and patients will get a rebate from Medicare and their health fund. The hospital costs are fully / partly covered by private health fund depending on the patient’s level and type of cover

Complications

Any surgical procedure can be associated with some general risks and Complications. Having your breast reduction surgery procedure done in an accredited hospital minimises risks. Although uncommon, these include, collection of blood (heamatoma) or other fluids (seroma), mild to severe infection, risks associated with general anaesthetics. The sensation around the areola can be affected by the surgery and may take up to 12 month to return.

What you need to do before the breast reduction surgery

Smoking and being overweight have been shown to cause more complications after surgery. I will insist that you stop smoking 3 weeks before your surgery and lose weight as much as able to before your breast reduction. As a general rule if your weight is stable the result of the breast reductions are better, as your breast increase or decrease in size with your general weight.

You will also need a mammogram done within 12 months of your operation.

If you have not had children and planning to have, then it is best to do so first then have your breast reduction. Your breast size and shape can change after a pregnancy and this can affect the final result. It is also less likely to affect breast feeding although there is no evidence that women who have had breast reduction are not less likely to be able to breast feed than the general population.

There is 1 hour street parking on “Majors Bay Road”, or on Trafalgar Parade at the adjacent Street.

Miranda Location

There is limited 1 hour street parking on “ Kingsway”. Alternatively, parking can be obtained in Westfield Miranda (no charge for the first 3 hours) which is across the road from our building. The best parking entrance to use is the “Jackson Avenue” entrance which is a short 3-5 minutes walk from our building. For your convenience, there is a drop off area outside our building where patients with limited mobility are able to be dropped off.